2.4.4 Define diffusion
Diffusion is the passive movement of particles from
a region of high concentration to a region of low
Osmosis is the passive movement of water
molecules, across a partially permeable membrane,
from a region of lower solute concentration to a
region of higher solute concentration.
Active site: Region on the surface of an enzyme to which substrates bind and which catalyses a chemical reaction involving the substrates.
3.6.4 Define denaturation.
Denaturation is a structural change in a protein
that results in the loss (usually permanent) of its
3.7.1 Define cell respiration.
Cell respiration is the controlled release of energy
from organic compounds in cells to form ATP.
4.1.2 Define gene, allele and genome.
Gene: a heritable factor that controls a specific
characteristic. (The differences between structural
genes, regulator genes and genes coding for tRNA
and rRNA are not expected at SL).
Allele: one specific form of a gene, differing from
other alleles by one or a few bases only and
occupying the same gene locus as other alleles of
Genome: the whole of the genetic information of
4.2.2 Define homologous chromosomes
Homologous chromosomes: chromosomes with the same genes as each other, in the same sequence but do not necessarily have the same allele of those genes.
Dominant allele: an allele that has the same effect
on the phenotype whether it is present in the
homozygous or heterozygous state.
Recessive allele: an allele that only has an effect on
the phenotype when present in the homozygous
Codominant alleles: pairs of alleles that both affect
the phenotype when present in a heterozygote.
Homozygous: having two identical alleles of a gene.
Heterozygous: having two different alleles of a
Carrier: an individual that has one copy of a
recessive allele that causes a genetic disease in
individuals that are homozygous for this allele.
Test cross: testing a suspected heterozygote by
crossing it with a known homozygous recessive.
4.3.7 Define sex linkage
Sex linkage: when the gene controlling the characteristic is located on the sex chromosome and so we associate the characteristic with gender.
4.4.11 Define clone
Clone: a group of genetically identical organisms or
a group of cells derived from a single parent cell.
5.1.1 Define species
Species: a group of organisms that can interbreed
and produce fertile offspring.
Habitat: the environment in which a species
normally lives or the location of a living organism
Population: a group of organisms of the same
species who live in the same area at the same time
Ecology: the study of relationships between living
organisms and between organisms and their
5.1.6 Define trophic level.
Trophic level: the trophic level of an organism is its position in the food chain. Producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers and tertiary consumers are examples of trophic levels.
5.4.1 Define evolution
Evolution is the cumulative change in the heritable
characteristics of a population
6.5.4 Define resting potential and action
potential (depolarization and
Resting potential: the electrical potential across the plasma membrane of a cell that is not conducting an impulse.
Action potential: the reversal and restoration of the electrical potential across the plasma membrane of a cell, as an electrical impulse passes along it (depolarization and repolarization).
9.2.5 Define transpiration.
Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from the
leaves and stems of plants.
10.2.4 Define linkage group.
Linkage group: A pair or set of genes on a chromosome which tend to be inherited together.
10.3.1 Define polygenic inheritance.
A single characteristic that is controlled by two or more genes
11.1.3 Define active
Active immunity is immunity due to the production
of antibodies by the organism itself after the body's
defence mechanisms have been stimulated by
Passive immunity is immunity due to the acquisition
of antibodies from another organism in which active
immunity has been stimulated, including via the
placenta, colostrum, or by injection of antibodies
11.3.1 Define excretion
Excretion is the removal from the body of the waste
products of metabolic pathways.
11.3.5 Define osmoregulation.
Osmoregulation is the control of the water balance
of the blood, tissue or cytoplasm of a living
3.2.1 Distinguish between organic and
Compounds containing carbon that are found
in living organisms (except hydrogencarbonates,
carbonates and oxides of carbon) are regarded as
Autotroph: an organism that synthesizes its organic
molecules from simple inorganic substances.
Consumer: an organism that ingests other organic
matter that is living or recently killed.
Saprotroph: an organism that lives on or in nonliving organic matter, secreting digestive enzymes
into it and absorbing the products of digestion.
Absorption occurs when the food enters the body as the food molecules pass through a layer of cells and into the bodies tissues. This occurs in the small intestine which has many villi that are specialised for absorption.
Assimilation occurs when the food molecules becomes part of the bodies tissue. Therefore, absorption is followed by assimilation.
6.3.5 Distinguish between antigens
Antigens are foreign substances which stimulate the production of antibodies.
Antibodies are proteins that defend the body against pathogens by binding to antigens on the surface of these pathogens and stimulating their destruction. Antibodies usually only bind to one specific antigen.
6.4.1 Distinguish between ventilation, gas
exchange and cell respiration.
Ventilation is the process of bringing fresh air into the alveoli and removing the stale air. It maintains the concentration gradient of carbon dioxide and oxygen between the alveoli and the blood in the capillaries (vital for oxygen to diffuse into the blood from the alveoli and carbon dioxide out of the blood into the alveoli).
Gas exchange is the process of swapping one gas for another. It occurs in the alveoli of the lungs. Oxygen diffuses into the capillaries from the air in the alveoli and carbon dioxide diffuses out of the capillaries and into the air in the alveoli.
Cell respiration releases energy in the form of ATP so that this energy can be used inside the cell. Cell respiration occurs in the mitochondria and cytoplasm of cells. Oxygen is used in this process and carbon dioxide is produced.
7.3.2 Distinguish between the sense and
antisense strands of DNA.
The sense strand (coding strand) has the same base
sequence as mRNA with uracil instead of thymine.
The antisense (template) strand is the template of DNA which is transcribed.
9.3.2 Distinguish between pollination,
fertilization and seed dispersal.
Pollination = transfer of pollen grain from anther to stigma
Fertilization = Fusion of the male gamete (in the pollen grain) with female gamete (in ovule) to form a zygote
Seed dispersal = Seeds are moved away from parental plants to reduce competition.